Top Alternatives for Indian Students to Study Medicine Abroad

Medicine is one of the most promising fields for the young generation today. As a career option, it has always demanded some of the highest respect. Moreover, the continuous technological advancements in the healthcare sector have expanded the diversity within this field. Studying medicine abroad is a more preferred option in the recent times and here’s why.

Why study medicine abroad?

A meagre selection rate of 1.92% in AIIMS, the most prestigious government medical institution, says volumes about the deficiency of seats and the difficulty of getting admission in the medical courses at government colleges. On the other hand, a look at the steep fees charged by the private medical institutions makes it easy to see how the study of medicine in India is a challenging affair.

On the other hand, overseas education provides a viable opportunity to aspiring medical students in terms of finances and professional exposure. While studying medicine abroad, one can obtain hands-on experience with a lower expenditure in comparison to India. It is, therefore, the next best choice for medical students to fly abroad and complete their higher education.

Here are some of the top alternatives for Indian students to study medicine abroad.

The top alternatives for studying medicine abroad

MBBS

Instead of struggling to get an MBBS seat in India, an alternative option is to pursue it abroad. MBBS programmes available in foreign universities like Huazhong University of Science & Technology, China, University of Lodz, Poland, Bicol Christian College, Philippines, and several others have a good number of seats available and admissions are granted based on the students’ medical aptitude. There is little pressure of cracking an entrance exam like you would have to in India. Low expenditure package and advanced curriculum in these foreign institutions makes it a fitting choice for medical aspirants.

MBBS is regarded as the most coveted medical degree in India with respect to the job opportunities it provides but there are several options other than MBBS that a medical student can explore to build a very successful career in the field.

Orthodontics

A stream of dentistry that deals with the care and problems of the oral domain, orthodontics has emerged as a lucrative career option in the field of medicine. It is a specialization in the dental medicine stream. You will need a bachelor’s and a master’s programme to become an orthodontist. Since dentistry is the most popular alternative to MBBS in India, it is commonly elected by students studying abroad as well.

The job opportunities associated with this subject are many. You can choose to become a private practitioner, a teacher in dental colleges, a manufacturer of dental equipment, or a researcher in the subject.

Veterinary Sciences

Another significant option to study medicine abroad is veterinary sciences. The course provides you with good opportunities to work as a doctor, researcher, as a practitioner, or government work in the healthcare of animals. There are varied subject options for both graduation and postgraduation programmes in this fields.

There has been an increase in the number of animal hospitals and clinics in the recent times and the demand for veterinary doctors and technicians is set to rise by 18% in the coming years. It is also followed by an expansion in the research for animal welfare and healthcare. This has enlarged the scope for veterinary sciences services and career prospects. The rising demand for vets in developed countries makes it a suitable alternative to study medicine abroad.

Alternative Medicine

There are several alternative medicine courses for overseas education that offer career prospects in the medical sector. Acupuncture is one of the most sought-after courses in the stream of alternative medicine. Naturopathy, oriental medicine, and chiropractic are some other disciplines that can be considered for studying alternative medicine courses abroad. These courses, unlike the MBBS programme, do not require rigorous training and efforts for a long duration.

A specialization degree or certification in these subjects can be acquired within 3 years. Since people are increasingly turning their interest towards alternative medicine, therefore, the field offers great scope for career development. As an alternative to MBBS, it is a short-term and relatively less challenging course.

Physiotherapy

The stream of medicine that deals with methods for physical treatment instead of the traditional medicinal and drug treatment is called physiotherapy. A number of reasons contribute to the bodily pains that people suffer from, leading to the increased needs for physiotherapy worldwide. The subject promises immense career scope due to a perpetual demand for physiotherapists at hospitals, sports professionals and teams, community fitness centers, and rehabilitation clinics.

As an alternative to MBBS, the bachelor’s programme in physiotherapy is short-term and offers early job opportunities. Unlike MBBS, you can get a recruitment immediately after graduation and continue with your master’s programme.

Nursing

Nursing is considered to be an important pillar in the field of medicine. As a career option, it holds great scope for a permanent and promising job since healthcare sectors in developed countries focus heavily on quality recruitment. The demands for nurses are ever-present in the medical field and pursuing this programme ensures a profitable job option.

The depth of courses available in this stream also makes it a preferable alternative to study medicine abroad. You can choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree, a diploma course, psychiatric, military, pediatric, hospital, or orthopedic nursing programmes.